Category: Meetings and Events

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Frankford Special Services District Annual Meeting

The Frankford Special Services District will host its Annual Meeting on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at 8.30am in St. Mark’s Church (Griscom St. Entrance). Meetings are open to the public and all are invited. Topics of discussion will include:
  • Update on Safety Ambassadors, Detail Team, Sidewalk Sweepers
  • Update on Finance and Fundraising
  • Officer Elections
  • Goals for 2011
  • Community Input
  • Establishment of 2011 Meeting Schedule
Tim Wisniewski
Executive Director, Frankford SSD
PO Box 19665 | Philadelphia, PA 19124
(215) 535-2637 | www.frankfordssd.org
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Coming Up in Frankford

  • Ghosts of the Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Museum
    WhenSat, January 29, 9pm – Sun, January 30, 2am
    Where4278 Griscom Street Philadelphia, PA 19124-3954 (map)
    DescriptionCOST; $50 per person non refundable donation to the museum Limited to 25 people ADULTS ONLY: 18 years and older RESERVATIONS & PRE PAYMENT REQUIRED South Jersey Ghost Research, has been investigating the spirit activity in the museum for several years. Now they will guide you through the museum and introduce you to them. You can bring your own camera and recorder or use theirs, including infra red cameras .You can listen and record ghostly voices. Refreshments will be served at the break SECURE PARKING and entry from the museums parking lot. Call Kathleen at 267-385-5290 for reservations and information.
  • Frankford Special Services District Board Meeting
    WhenTue, February 1, 8:30am – 9:30am
    WhereSt. Mark’s Church, 4442 Frankford Ave, Griscom Street entrance. (map)
    DescriptionOpen to the public
  • 2nd Anniversary of the Recovery House Town Hall Meeting
    WhenThursday, Feb 3, 2011
    DescriptionThe town hall meeting was held at St. Joachim on February 3rd, 2009
  • Frankford Civic Association Meeting
    WhenThu, February 3, 7pm – 8pm
    Where2nd floor conference room, Aria Health, 4900 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
  • Grand Army of the Republic Museum Open House
    WhenSun, February 6, 12pm – 5pm
    Where4278 Griscom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
    DescriptionPresentation at 1:30 PM: Octavius V Catto Program Murray Dubin & Dan Biddle, Authors of Tasting Freedom
  • Northwood Civic Association Meeting
    WhenTue, February 15, 7pm – 8pm
    WhereSt. James Lutheran Church, at Castor Avenue and Pratt Street. (map)
  • Friends of the Frankford Branch Library Meeting
    WhenWed, February 16, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
    Where 4634 Frankford Avenue (Frankford Ave. & Overington St. (map)
    DescriptionThe Friends of the Frankford Branch Library will meet on Wednesday February 16, 2011, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the library meeting room. Find out how you can support and have a say in shaping your community library. The library is located at 4634 Frankford Avenue (Frankford Ave. & Overington St.) For more information, call 215-685-1473 or email baxterb@freelibrary.org
  • PSA 1 Meeting
    WhenWed, February 16, 7pm – 8pm
    WhereAria Health – 2nd floor conference room (map)
    DescriptionMeet the police officers with your feedback. Tell them what problems you are having on your block.
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Coming Up in Frankford

  • Shared Legends and Rhythms at the Frankford Library
    When – Wed, January 26, 4pm – 5pm
    Where – 4634 Frankford Avenue (map)
    Description – Legends and rhythm stories common to African, African American and Native American cultures, brought to life! Participants will have the opportunity to play and learn about authentic rhythm instruments. Recommended for ages 6-12 but all ages welcome. Presented by the Free Library of Philadelphia through One Book One Philadelphia at the Frankford Branch Library, 4634 Frankford Avenue, Wednesday, January 26, 2011, 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • Northeast Philadelphia EPIC Stakeholders Group
    When – Thu, January 27, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
    Where – Aria Hospital’s Frankford Campus (4900 Frankford Avenue) in the 2nd floor meeting room. Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
    Description – The ultimate goal is to create a process that enhances the community’s ability to solve issues surrounding truancy, domestic violence, child safety and substance abuse.
  • Ghosts of the Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Museum
    When – Sat, January 29, 9pm – Sun, January 30, 2am
    Where – 4278 Griscom Street Philadelphia, PA 19124-3954 (map)
    Description – COST; $50 per person non refundable donation to the museum Limited to 25 people ADULTS ONLY: 18 years and older RESERVATIONS & PRE PAYMENT REQUIRED South Jersey Ghost Research, has been investigating the spirit activity in the museum for several years. Now they will guide you through the museum and introduce you to them. You can bring your own camera and recorder or use theirs, including infra red cameras .You can listen and record ghostly voices. Refreshments will be served at the break SECURE PARKING and entry from the museums parking lot. Call Kathleen at 267-385-5290 for reservations and information.
  • Frankford Special Services District Board Meeting
    When – Tue, February 1, 8:30am – 9:30am
    Where – St. Mark’s Church, 4442 Frankford Ave, Griscom Street entrance. (map)
    Description – Open to the public
  • 2nd Anniversary of the Recovery House Town Hall Meeting
    When – Thursday, Feb 3, 2011
    Description – The town hall meeting was held at St. Joachim on February 3rd, 2009
  • Frankford Civic Association Meeting
    When – Thu, February 3, 7pm – 8pm
    Where2nd floor conference room, Aria Health, 4900 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
  • Grand Army of the Republic Museum Open House
    When – Sun, February 6, 12pm – 5pm
    Where – 4278 Griscom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
    Description – Presentation at 1:30 PM: Octavius V Catto Program Murray Dubin & Dan Biddle, Authors of Tasting Freedom
  • Northwood Civic Association Meeting
    When – Tue, February 15, 7pm – 8pm
    Where – St. James Lutheran Church, at Castor Avenue and Pratt Street. (map)
  • Friends of the Frankford Branch Library Meeting
    When – Wed, February 16, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
    Where 4634 Frankford Avenue (Frankford Ave. & Overington St. (map)
    Description – The Friends of the Frankford Branch Library will meet on Wednesday February 16, 2011, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the library meeting room. Find out how you can support and have a say in shaping your community library. The library is located at 4634 Frankford Avenue (Frankford Ave. & Overington St.) For more information, call 215-685-1473 or email baxterb@freelibrary.org
  • PSA 1 Meeting
    When – Wed, February 16, 7pm – 8pm
    Where – Aria Health – 2nd floor conference room (map)
    Description – Meet the police officers with your feedback. Tell them what problems you are having on your block.
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PSA 1 Meeting

I attended the PSA (come meet the cops who patrol your neighborhood) meeting tonight at Aria Health.  The crowd was small which is great since it indicates great progress has been made on the crime front.

Now if you just read that and said to yourself, is he crazy, then I have to ask why weren’t you at that meeting tonight to do something to solve the problem.  It is as simple as that.

The new lieutenant in PSA 1 is Robert Casselli.  He is looking for feedback from the community through these meetings.  He will go around the room and ask each person what is on their mind.  You get the opportunity to tell the police what is going on in your area.  These guys always impress me with how much they do know.  They don’t live here but they do know the area.  There was talk tonight of an illegal activity taking place in an alley next to a store down the street from another place.  Sergeant Revel says sure I’ve been down there lots of times, alley runs from x to y.

Lt. Robert Casselli, Officer Heather Andrews, Sgt. Al Revel

Where they need help is the specifics.  If somebody is selling drugs on your block and you want it to stop, come and tell them.  If the corner store is open all night attracting low life characters, let them know.  Nobody knows your neighborhood like you.

I talked to Al Mitchell who lives down around Fillmore and Tackawanna.  I have been listening to him at these meetings for the last year.  He tells it like it is.  It’s getting better.  Big problems have become smaller.  You have to stay on top of things but being involved in the process has made a difference.

Living in Frankford is not for bystanders.  If you want to do it, you have to get involved.  Just don’t complain and sit on your hands.

The next PSA 1 meeting will be on Tuesday, February 16th.  You can check the 15th district web site for a complete schedule of community meetings here.  For other police related news including the wanted list check it out here.

And if you want a more graphical view of the crime picture than what is offered on the PPD web site, take a look at spotcrime.com.

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Frankford’s Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.! The Promise of Hope!

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Monday morning over 200 people from the Frankford area gathered to remember and celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and to continue working towards his dream of all of us joining our hands as “brothers and sisters”. Honoring Dr. King reminds us of our own call to serve, to show “true compassion … and a revolution of values” as we need more than ever, compassion, understanding and justice for each American. This was the 25th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast Celebration and this event had taken place at St. Joachim RC Church in previous years. This year, Dr. Ayesha Imani, CEO,Principal, and Founder of Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School, invited the community to use the school’s facility at 4256 Paul St. for the celebration. Besides George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, Dr. King is the only one to be honored by having a federal holiday named after him.  At 8:30 AM, the school’s cafeteria was filled with people from the many different

Dr. Ayesha Imani, Sankofa Freedom Academy

organizations, churches and neighborhood who came for a free, cooked breakfast (by Ken’s Catering) and to participate in a program honoring Dr. King’s life that showcased the many talents of our area youth. There was a feeling of anticipation and excitement as we waited for the program to begin. Sponsored by the Frankford Coalition of Neighbors (FCN) with support from area organizations, this celebration, according to Jennifer Powell-Folks Executive Director of FCN, brings “Frankfordians together to sit with each other and talk with each other”. Jennifer reminded us that “grassroots people can make a difference” and that it is important that elected officials hear our views on what matters most to us. The mission of FCN is “… to improve relations among the diverse religious, economic, racial and ethnic groups in Frankford, while promoting volunteerism and community coalition”. At the end of this article we will provide contact information for two of community groups if you would like to get more involved. Also, be sure to check out the links of the various performances.

The program began with a song entitled “Lift Every Voice and Sing”. The Frankford Friends School Choir sang and played bells to accompany this song. We have links to all the performances at the end of this article. This song is commonly known as “The Negro National Anthem”. We were welcomed by Janet Bernstein, a member of FCN and the Frankford Garden Club, who asked us to reflect what each of us can do to continue Dr. King’s work. The beautiful table centerpieces were provided by the Frankford Garden Club with assistance by the Frankford High School ROTC (FHS ROTC) members. FHS

Jennifer Powell-Folks, Frankford Coalition of Neighbors

ROTC “presented arms” and we listened to the National Anthem. They also treated us to a drill team performance. Reverend Laurie Ann Rookard of the United Methodist Church gave the invocation and blessing. Breakfast was then served – buffet style. Following breakfast, there was an acknowledgement of the local dignitaries in attendance. Councilwoman Maria Quiñones-Sanchez and state Representative Tony Payton, Jr. were among the notables. Both were thanked for their active support and advocacy for our community.

The poetry performances by Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School students were very, very moving to all. These poets are wise beyond their years and offered us a chance to see the dreams of a life they envisioned for all. Listening to these young people, Dr. King would know his message has not been forgotten. Kimberly Washington, the Northeast EPIC coordinator, explained that her organization needed more involvement from area residents. Many of the civic groups in Frankford participate in this organization but the voices of those of us who live here, the residents, needs to be more vocal and active. The next meeting of the EPIC Stakeholders is Thursday, January 27, 2011 at 5:30 PM at Aria Health – Frankford. Please make sure your presence and voice are there!

A liturgical dance was performed by the Treasures from Heaven of the Campbell AME Church. This Church on Kinsey Street is over 200 years old and the second oldest church in the Philadelphia conference. There was a free will offering to help defray costs of the breakfast. Northeast Boys and Girls Club marched and stepped lively to drums which accompanied the drill team’s performance.

Dr. Imani explained the development of freedom schools (Wikipedia reference which references the Philadelphia Freedom Schools based on the Children’s Defense Fund model). More information is also found here on the Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School web site. Reverend Rookard closed the program with a benediction.

How Can You Get Involved? Bring a Friend! Explore and Use Your Talents for Frankford!

Frankford Coalition of Neighbors
Jennifer Powell-Folks, Executive Director
c/o Campbell AME Church
1661 Kinsey Street
Philadelphia, PA 19124
215.744.9170
email: FrankfordCoalition@Prodigy.net

CORA Services Northeast EPIC Stakeholders
Kimberly Washington, Esq.
email: KWashington@coraservices.org
Next meeting: Thursday, 1/27/11 at 5:30 PM at Aria Health, Frankford

Contributing Organizations besides those already mentioned: Aria Health, Frankford Campus; Fruit of the Vine United Methodist Church; Mater Dolorosa RC Church; Friends of Wissonoming Park

You are able to share in and relive this celebration by clicking on the following links:
MLK Day at Sankofa
Frankford Friends School Choir
Frankford High School ROTC Drill Team
Sankofa Essay and Poetry Readings
Campbell AME Church Liturgical Dance Performance
Northeast Boys and Girls Club Drill Team
Sankofa Freedom Academy “Something Inside So Strong”